Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival
About This Event
The Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival is a free two-day celebration of freedom held at Vernon Dahmer Park, named for the civil rights leader who gave his life registering Black voters in Mississippi. The festival opens June 19 with a flag raising ceremony, a citywide parade beginning at the Hattiesburg Police Department, gospel, blues and R&B performances, and a fireworks show that evening. Saturday brings a car show, softball, cornhole and pickleball tournaments, a kids zone with rides and swimming, and rows of food, art and craft vendors. The Pine Belt's signature Juneteenth gathering draws thousands across Forrest County and South Mississippi.
📅 When
Jun 19, 2026
📍 Where
Vernon Dahmer Park, 1000 Country Club Road, Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
💵 Price
Free
👤 Organizer
Ray-E Foundation
Connect with Organizer
Share This Event
Have a photo of this event? We’re using the Juneteenth flag as a placeholder.
Suggest a photo →What to expect at a Juneteenth festival
Juneteenth festivals are the heart of the holiday — multi-hour, family-friendly, and densely programmed. Expect a main stage with rotating performances, vendor rows featuring Black-owned businesses, food trucks heavy on barbecue and Southern cuisine, kids’ zones with face painting and bounce houses, history exhibits or living-history performers, and community resource booths. Plan to spend two to four hours if you want to see the lineup; longer if you’re bringing children. Entry is free at most festivals, but tipping vendors and supporting local businesses is part of the day.
About Juneteenth in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, MS marks Juneteenth alongside hundreds of other US cities, with celebrations rooted in local Black history and shaped by the people, churches, and community organizations that have sustained the day for generations. Whether you’re attending your first Juneteenth or your fortieth, the goal is the same: gather, remember, and celebrate freedom together. Our directory currently lists 1 additional Juneteenth event in Hattiesburg.
Other Juneteenth events in Hattiesburg
- Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival - Day TwoHattiesburg, MS · 2026-06-20
- Juneteenth Freedom Festival - Jackson, MSJackson, MS · June 2026 (TBD)
- Juneteenth Free Day at the Two Mississippi Museums 2026Jackson, MS · June 19, 2026
- Juneteenth Family Day at the Mississippi Civil Rights MuseumJackson, MS · June 2026 (TBD)
Frequently asked questions
- When is Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival?
- Jun 19, 2026. Confirm exact start times with the organizer (Ray-E Foundation) before traveling.
- Where is Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival held?
- Vernon Dahmer Park, 1000 Country Club Road, Hattiesburg, MS, Hattiesburg, MS. Check the event website for parking and accessibility details.
- Is this event free to attend?
- Yes. This Juneteenth event is free and open to the public. Some sub-events (food, vendor purchases, optional workshops) may have separate costs.
- What should I bring?
- Plan for outdoor weather. Bring sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, a hat or umbrella, cash for vendors (some are cash-only), and a portable phone charger. If chairs aren’t provided, a foldable seat or blanket is useful.
- Is the event family-friendly?
- Most Juneteenth celebrations welcome all ages. Family-specific programming varies by event — many include kids’ zones, face painting, and family activities. Strollers are usually welcome at outdoor venues.